Jungle Bullies by Steven Kroll, illustrated by Vincent Nguyen

Lexile    Not rated          Pages    32          Ages     4 - 8

 AR Quiz No. 111361 EN Fiction
  IL: LG - BL: 2.6 - AR Pts: 0.5
  AR Quiz Types: RP

Elephant wants to swim in the pond so he chases Hippo away. Hippo makes Lion get off of the path so he can pass by. Then Lion chases Leopard out of his favorite napping spot. Leopard goes up in a tree only to find Monkey there, so he chases Monkey away. Monkey goes to his mother and she tells him he needs to stand up for himself and tell Leopard there is room enough for both of them in the tree. Monkey is afraid so Mother Monkey offers to go with him. Together, they go to Leopard, telling him "Don't you tell me what to do, this tree's big enough for two. Share it with me as a friend, don't be mean to me again." When Leopard is confronted he agrees to share the tree. Then he starts thinking and asks Monkey to go with him to confront Lion. This scenario repeats up the chain until all of the animals are playing together and having a good time in the pond.

Jungle Bullies is a non-threatening introduction to the subject of bullying for young children. I like that it shows that bullying can be confronted without anger or being mean. It illustrates how meanness breeds more meanness, the larger animals picking on smaller ones who then find someone smaller than they are to take out their anger and that bullies often back down when confronted. I also like how in the end all of the animals are playing together, sharing the pond and having a good time.

I love the illustrations in Jungle Bullies! The animals are cute but also convey the meanness when they are bullying someone smaller than they are.

Jungle Bullies can be found at the Lake County Public Library, or you can click here http://tinyurl.com/7mcpfgt to reserve a copy for pick-up at the circulation desk at your favorite branch.

Happy Reading!

Miss Laurie

WHEN I GROW UP by Al Yankovic, illustrated by Wes Hargis

Lexile:    930          Pages:    28          Ages:     6-9

 AR Quiz No. 143069 EN Fiction
  IL: LG - BL: 4.8 - AR Pts: 0.5
  AR Quiz Types: RP

Who doesn't love Weird Al? Now you have a new way to love him - as a children's author!

Every Thursday at noon is show and tell in Mrs. Krupp's second grade class and this week the subject is "What I want to be when I grow up," a subject that is one of Billy's favorite things to think about.  Billy is thrilled when he is chosen to give the first presentation! In elaborate rhyme, Billy tells the class about his desire to become a world-famous chef, making sumptuous dishes like rigatoni with sauteed black truffles and pickled baloney, which he can keep in my humble opinion! : ) Guess I'm just a cheeseburger type of girl!

Mrs. Krupp thanks him for his presentation and Billy replies, "Hold the phone now, I haven't departed. Hang on to your seats, 'cause I'm just getting started!" He goes on to describe other careers he has considered, each one more fanciful than the next: snail trainer, milking giraffes, gorilla masseuse, and many more. Kids will get a real kick out of some of the jobs Billy wants to try! Finally Mrs. Krupp stops Billy and tells him he needs to make up his mind, which one is he going to choose? Billy goes on to tell her about his Great Grandpa Bob, who at 103 has tried many things and hasn't yet decided on what he wants to be, so since Billy is only 8 maybe she would cut him some slack if he leaves his options open and heck, he just might have time to do all of those things!

I love Billy's attitude! I am a great believer in following your dreams. I also think your dream can change as your life progresses, so you should always keep your options as open as possible. Too often adults try to push children to choose a career much too early, when they should still just enjoy being a kid.

When I Grow Up is best read aloud to younger children as some of the vocabulary might be over their heads but the rhyming and text have a good rhythm and the kids love the imaginative career paths that Billy considers. I think this book would be a fun addition to any collection.

Happy Reading,

Miss Laurie

Pick up a copy of When I Grow Up at the Lake County Public Library or click here http://tinyurl.com/7hh2b44 and with your library card number and PIN order a copy for pick-up at any branch.

**BIG KID SPECIAL** SOURCES OF LIGHT by Margaret McMullan

SOURCES OF LIGHT by Margaret McMullan

Lexile:    840          Pages:    234          Ages:     See below

 AR Quiz No. 136605 EN Fiction
  IL: MG+ - BL: 5.2 - AR Pts: 8.0
  AR Quiz Types: RP

This is a juvenile fiction book. I'll confess I just did a quick skim of the flyleaf and thought I had picked up a book about a young girl interested in photography. What I got was an intense, potent narrative of life during the racial strife in Mississippi during the early 60's.

Samantha is 14 years old, living with her mother in Jackson, Mississippi. Her father died a hero in Vietnam and having no relations on her mother's side, they have moved to be near her father's family. Her mother is a professor of art history at the university. A slightly bohemian figure, Sam's mom doesn't fit in with the bouffant, shirtwaist dress crowd of her friends' mothers. Sam herself doesn't fit in with the girls in her freshman class at the high school, still caught in that in-between world of not being a little girl and not yet being grown up. While the other girls in her class want to do things like practice kissing and writing to celebrities, Sam still likes to hula hoop and collect bugs in a jar, until the night she meets her classmate's older brother Stone.

Sam's mother meets Perry, a new professor in her department who teaches photography and they develop a relationship. Perry introduces Sam to photography and she discovers it is something she loves and has a natural talent for. Perry tells her she "has the eye."  Through Perry, Sam and her mother get involved in the racial issues of the day, helping black people register to vote and sticking up for black people in the segregated shops in town. Unfortunately, Stone's father is the head of the White Citizens'Council, a KKK-type organization without the hoods and capes.

In the midst of her blooming romance with Stone who, unlike his father, believes in the rights of all people, Sam is thrown into the middle of riots, political unrest, and even murder, capturing much of it on the camera that Perry has given her. Stone, trying to somehow stop the things his father is doing, and not knowing all of his father's sins, keeps showing up during the horrors, appearing to be with the other side. Sam doesn't know what to think and confronts Stone with proof of what his father has done.

In the end Sam and her mother end up basically being run out of town through her mother's firing and inability to find another job. However, in leaving they are moving toward a better life, so while you ache for what they have been through you also rejoice in what they are moving toward.

Booklist rates this book as being for grades 5-8, but School Library Journal puts it at grades 7-10. Given the subject matter and sometimes graphic descriptions I would have to agree with SLJ. While this is a work of fiction, I find it to be a relatively accurate accounting of the happenings of the 60's, from James Meredith, the first black student at the University of Mississippi to Medgar Evers' assassination. I would call it a must-read for anyone interested in the history of segregation in the south.

Happy Reading!
Miss Laurie

Get a copy of Sources of Light at the Lake County Public Library or click here http://tinyurl.com/7xbha6b to reserve a copy for delivery to your local branch.

I Must Have Bobo! by Eileen Rosenthal, illustrated by Marc Rosenthal

Lexile     Not rated          Pages     32          Ages      4 - 8

 AR Quiz No. 143601 EN Fiction
  IL: LG - BL: 0.8 - AR Pts: 0.5
  AR Quiz Types: RP

When Willy wakes up he can't find his sock monkey, Bobo. He looks and looks for Bobo - he has to have his faithful friend at his side to help him. "Bobo, is that a bitey-bug?" And Bobo isn't afraid to go down the slide or walk past the big dog. Willy finally finds him - he has been monkey-napped by the family cat, Earl. Willy and Bobo go off to breakfast where Willy expresses his disappointment through his good friend Bobo - "Bobo thought we were having pancakes! He doesn't like raisins in his oatmeal!"

When Willy's attention is diverted, that wiley Earl strikes. Willy turns around and Bobo is missing! So the search begins yet again. The story goes back and forth like this and in the end, Earl is sneaking off yet again with Bobo while Willy naps in the chair.

Honestly, I like this book because I love both sock monkeys and cats. : ) The illustrations perfectly capture that sock monkey blank stare and the expressiveness of the feline face in Earl. I think children will be able to relate to Willy, understanding how important Bobo is in helping Willy with things he is afraid of and also with expressing his feelings.

Happy Reading!
Miss Laurie

I Must Have Bobo! is available at the Lake County Public Library or click here http://tinyurl.com/85woheq and with your library card number and PIN, reserve a copy for pick-up at your most convenient branch.

The Blizzard by Betty Ren Wright, illustrated by Ronald Himler

REMEMBER THIS?

Lake Station, Indiana

February 2, 2011

NOW, TRY THIS!

It's a LOT warmer, and still lots of fun!

Lexile     500          Pages     30          Ages      5 - 8

 AR Quiz No. 68987 EN Fiction
  IL: LG - BL: 3.4 - AR Pts: 0.5
  AR Quiz Types: RP, VP

It's December and Billy's birthday has rolled around.  Billy is disappointed because usually his aunt and uncle, and his cousins come to celebrate with him but with a blizzard in the forecast they can't make it this year.  He's jealous of his sister Mae, whose birthday is in July - the cousins can always come and celebrate with her.  But circumstances hold a special surprise for Billy . . . .

Billy and Mae head for school, Billy dragging his feet and feeling sorry for himself.  Once there, lessons go on as usual in the one-room school.  At lunch the children go outside and build a snowman in the school yard - the snow isn't too bad yet.  But soon after the lunch break Billy's friend, Jim, pokes him and points out the window . . . . it's snowing so hard you can't even see their snowman anymore!  Then Mr. Carter comes to the school to tell them that the road is closed and they will have to stay the night at the school.  The teacher, Miss Bailey, says, "Oh, but we can't stay here, we don't have food or blankets. Mae and Billy, do you think your folks would mind some guests for the night?  Your home is the only one close enough to walk to."  Mae tells her, "No, ma'am."  So the whole school heads for Billy's house.

Once there everyone pitches in to help with the chores.  While Billy's mother cooks dinner, the children have a big snowball fight and have a ball playing in the rapidly building snow.  Everyone gets their fill at dinner and then they all gather 'round the piano for a good, old-fashioned sing-a-long.  Finally, Billy's mother says, "Dessert's ready.  I get to choose the last song."  She goes into the kitchen and comes out with a big cake, candles blazing, and everyone sings a rousing "Happy Birthday" to Billy.

After dessert Billy's mom and dad pull out all the sheets and blankets they can find and everyone settles down wherever they can find a spot to get some sleep.  Billy's dad asks him, "Wishing you were a July baby, I suppose?"  Billy gives a big grin and says, "December's okay with me," and falls asleep, having had a birthday party he'd never forget.

The Blizzard, with its one-room schoolhouse and group sing-a-long is reminiscent of simpler times that I think we all long for now and then. A time before television, video games and computers, when people interacted more with one another.  It also reminds us that when disaster strikes, we all need to pull together and help each other, something I was lucky enough to experience when we had the blizzard in February.  A BIG "Thank you!" to my great neighbors!  I enjoyed this story very much and think I will have to purchase a copy for my collection!

Happy Reading!

Miss Laurie

Come to the Lake County Public Library for a copy of The Blizzard or click here http://tinyurl.com/7u2y2kx and use your library card number and PIN to reserve a copy for quick pick-up at the circulation desk at your favorite branch.

When Papa Snores by Melinda Long, Illustrated by Holly Meade

Lexile     Not rated          Pages     30          Ages      3 and up

 AR Quiz No. 45262 EN Fiction
  IL: LG - BL: 3.4 - AR Pts: 0.5
  AR Quiz Types: RP

"Nana says that sometimes Papa snores.  And Papa says that sometimes Nana snores.  The truth is, they both snore.  I just can't decide who snores louder." 

This is a really fun book.  The snoring sounds are a real hoot!  Coming from a family of snorers, I can hear them in my head . . . . . "ARRGHH-OOM, ARRGHH-OOM!  GARRUUM, GARRUUM!"  And when Papa and Nana snore, a whole laundry list of fun things happen:  the window blinds clank together, the dishes in the drainer shake themselves dry, the shoes jump off the shoe rack and tumble down the stairs.  Each scenario builds on the last, gaining momentum up to the surprise ending.

Kids will love hearing the snoring sounds and it's a lot of fun hearing them when you ask them, "Does Mommy or Daddy snore?  What do they sound like?"  There are a lot of giggles when reading this book!

Happy Reading!

Miss Laurie

Come to the Lake County Public Library for your copy of When Papa Snores, or click here http://tinyurl.com/727lwj6 to reserve a copy with your library card number and PIN for pick-up at your local branch.

Lizzy and Skunk by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick

Lexile     Not Rated          Pages     32          Ages      4-8

AR Quiz No. 44414 EN Fiction
  IL: LG - BL: 1.8 - AR Pts: 0.5
  AR Quiz Types: RP

Lizzy is afraid of things - the dark, spiders, making mistakes and more. But as long as she had her hand-puppet Skunk with her, Lizzy could overcome her fears. Then one day, Skunk disappears. Lizzy looks high and low for Skunk - under the bed, even though it's dark and scary, in the attic with its spiders. She finally finds him high in a tree. Although she's afraid, she climbs up in the tree and rescues Skunk, climbing down to the applause of a crowd of onlookers.

Lizzy and Skunk is a relatively simple book with few words. However, children can relate to being afraid of the same things Lizzy is and understand it is sometimes easier to face them with a friend by your side. It also shows them that friendships are two-sided and that sometimes you have to be strong for your friend just like your friend is strong for you.

Happy Reading!

Miss Laurie

Get your copy of Lizzy and Skunk at the Lake County Public Library or click here http://tinyurl.com/6lkz9so to reserve a copy for pick-up at your local branch.